Discusses strategic planning of the University of Wisconsin-Madison to facilitate the 1998 accreditation process and achieve alignment with the campus vision. Describes campuswide framework, with learning as the theme connecting the university's structures, and the models used to facilitate accomplishment of goals. (YKH)

Studied child care quality indicators via a comparison of state child care licensing requirements in three areas: child staff ratio, group size, and caregiver educational requirements. Compared these data to 1981 data to assess changes in licensing regulations. Found both positive and negative changes and that regulations vary greatly state by…

Examines the fit between college outcomes assessment designed to assess specific qualitative outcomes and community colleges' diverse clientele, pointing to a disjuncture of methods and motives. Foresees the possibility of two-year colleges' changing their structure, organization, and academic expectations in response. (30 references) (MAB)

Presents an empirical model, previously used to examine characteristics associated with perceived quality in schools of library and information science, that may be utilized in future studies. Variables and their correlation with a discriminant analysis function are listed, and a histogram depicts score distribution. (four references) (EA)

Focuses on the Kentucky higher education accountability model, designed to provide a systematic evaluation of the quality and effectiveness of Kentucky's 14 community colleges. Offers coordinator perceptions of model's effectiveness. (YKH)

A study investigated who uses the "U.S. News and World Report,""Money," and other national magazine rankings of colleges and universities, and what types of freshmen find these rankings useful in choosing a college. It also analyzed the for-profit sector's encroachment into a critical educational arena, college access, and…

This article proposes that college students will contribute most effectively to institutional assessment efforts if they understand how meaningful their input is. This can be accomplished if the assessment system is compassionate, considerate, convenient, communicated clearly, cohesive, understandable, concise, committed, attributes improvements…

Two frameworks for educational assessment distinguished, which is quantitative, adequate for construing some kinds of learning, and qualitative, which is more appropriate for most objectives in higher education. The paper argues that institutions implicitly encourage quantitative assessment, thus encouraging a surface approach to learning although…

Debate grows over the validity and reliability of college and university rankings, which judge rather than describe institutions, as the public's willingness to accept them increases. While many institutional characteristics can be measured, measurement methods need improvement. One solution is to publish the peer studies that the institutions…

While community colleges and their students are highly diverse, a shared characteristic is the American Dream of aspiration to higher education. However, four-year institutions are not universally accepting of community college credits, even from high-achieving students. Better articulation and cooperation can reduce the division between two- and…

College costs are rising and enrollments are at an all-time high, yet the proportion of students earning degrees has stayed more or less constant for decades. This leads some to conclude that colleges aren't holding up their end of the educational bargain. The question, Do they graduate? is receiving the most scrutiny by state legislatures and by…

In this article, the authors present a case study that is an exploration of credential candidates' attitudes toward a teaching performance assessment as a measure of their teaching ability, and the impact on faculty instructional decisions, practice, and attitudes toward the assessment. This study generated both qualitative and quantitative data.…

Based on recommendations from a state Task Force on Institutional Effectiveness, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board developed a new institutional review system designed to identify institutional and programmatic strengths and areas of concern, verify institutional outcomes and improvement efforts, identify exemplary programs and…

This publication on self-assessment in British further education colleges is intended to help in streamlining existing systems and in creating new quality assurance systems. The first section makes suggestions for quality policies and definitions: define quality at the college level, devise a quality policy, break down college activities into key…

The Institutional Functioning Survey (IFS) is a self-administered, anonymous questionnaire designed to assess how different employee groups at an educational institution perceive their institution. In October 1989, the IFS was distributed to all 63 full-time faculty, 131 part-time faculty, and 12 administrators at the College of the Canyons (CC)…